
11.
When we enter God's presence in His earthly sanctuary, how should
we prepare to receive Him? Ps. 96:8, 9.
NorE.—When one enters the place dedicated to the worship of the High
and Holy One, he enters the presence of the Divine Being. God Himself is
present according to His promise. In quietness and reverence we should ap-
pear before Him. When human beings come into the presence of their earthly
sovereigns, it is done after careful preparation. In dress, in every bodily ap-
pointment, they must appear at their best, and so prepare. They are schooled
as to how they will deport themselves, as to what they will say and do from
the moment of entering the royal presence until the moment of departure.
Likewise the worshiper who comes into the presence of God to do Him honor,
will both in his outward adorning and his inner spirit show his recognition of
the Majesty of heaven. No untidiness or uncleanliness of apparel or of person,
no consciousness of the stain of sin, will be upon him who enters the presence
of his God.
12.
What instruction is given to believers concerning modesty of ap-
parel? 1 Tim. 2:8-10; 1 Peter 3:3, 4.
NOTE.—To center the
attention upon the One worshiped, is the objective
of the hours of public service in the Christian church. All that would direct
the attention of the worshipers to one another should be avoided. Self should
be forgotten. The dress, the carriage, the person of ,those who appear before
God, should be banished from the thoughts of every worshiper. To make
this possible the dress of each member of the congregation should be neat,
plain, simple, without that outward adorning which attracts attention and
detracts from the spirit of true reverence. The display of dress so often seen
in the congregation of professed Christians is a species of idolatry. To attract
the least attention is a standard toward which every worshiper should aim.
What is worn should be neither too showy nor too austere nor too strange. It
is a dishonor to God's presence to seek by our attire to draw attention to our-
selves.
Lesson 3, for October 17, 1942
Obedience
MEMORY VERSE: "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken
than the fat of rams." 1 Sam. 15:22, last part.
STUDY HELPS: "Christ's Object Lessons," pages 272-283 (new ed., pages
273-285) ; "Prophets and Kings," pages 293-300.
SEED THOUGHT: "Because men have received great light, because they have,
like the princes of Israel, ascended to the mount, and been privileged to have com-
munion with God, and to dwell in the light of His glory, let them not flatter themselves
that they can afterward sin with impunity; that because they have been thus honored,
God will not be strict to punish their iniquity. This is a fatal deception. The great
light and privileges bestowed, require returns of virtue and holiness corresponding to
the light given. Anything short of this, God cannot accept. Great blessings or privi-
leges should never lull to security or carelessness. They should never give license to
sin, or cause the recipients to feel that God will not be exact with them. All the ad-
vantages which God has given, are His means to throw ardor into the spirit, zeal into
effort, and vigor into the carrying out of His holy will."—"Patriarchs and Prophets,"
pages 359, 360.
Blessings Following Obedience
1.
How important in the eyes of the Lord
is
obedience? 1 Sam. 15:22.
[
7
1